Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development (Bernalillo County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with volunteer leader trainings, organizational leaders, project training for leaders, recruitment and screening efforts, Leaders' Forum; anything related to ADULT volunteers.

Situation Statement

Adult volunteers provide a significant amount of direct contact with 4-H youth and are essential partners in the 4-H Youth Development Program for maintaining and expanding the New Mexico 4-H program. 4-H volunteer leaders must be recruited, screened, selected, oriented, trained, supervised, evaluated and recognized for a sustaining volunteer program. Adult leaders need options of how and when to be involved, as their priorities regarding volunteer, personal and work commitments change over time. Volunteer leaders need orientation and education about the organizational structure of 4-H, 4-H delivery modes, affirmative action, youth protection, risk management, enrollment procedures, youth protection, working with youth, leadership styles, leadership roles, 4-H projects, and local, state, national and international 4-H opportunities.

Target Audience and Actions

Adult Leaders who are 19 years of age by January 1 of the current 4-H year and not enrolled as a 4-H member; potential adult volunteer leaders; senior 4-H members; and 4-H agents and paraprofessionals. Actions: Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders. Develop 4-H leader training in rodeo & shooting sports to support leader education.

Short-Term Objectives

1. Each year, potential new 4-H volunteer adult leaders will complete the application and screening form for processing before being enrolled as a New Mexico 4-H Leader. 2. Each year, new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons , provided a copy of or the web link to the “4-H Policies and Procedures Handbook”, provided a copy of the “Club Leaders’ Handbook”, and will understand 4-H enrollment procedures and the communication linkage to county office and other 4-H volunteers, resulting in an involved 4-H club membership. 3. By September 15 of each year, new special interest and school enrichment key group leaders will be offered an orientation about their role, responsibilities and enrollment procedures, resulting in youth actively learning and having fun. 4. By September 30 of each year, 15% of adult 4-H volunteers will participate in at least one leader education program during the 4-H program year, resulting in increased volunteer satisfaction and knowledge gain as reported by agents. 5. Each year, 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county, multiple county, district or state levels upon request.

Medium-Term Objectives

6. By spring of 2010 the Western Region 4-H Leaders’ Forum will be conducted in New Mexico. 7. By the 2010-2011 4-H program year there will be a 3% increase from the 2007-2008 program year of 4-H volunteers recruited, screened, and enrolled statewide. 8. By the October 2010-2011 4-H program year there will be a 3% increase in the retention rate of first year 4-H club leaders from the 2007-2008 program year. 9. By October 2010 there will be defined options for how volunteers can be involved in the 4-H program and at least 10 job descriptions developed to assist in this endeavor. 10. 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county, multiple county, district or state levels upon request. 11. Each year, 4-H Specialists will develop materials to support counties in leader education programs and distribute at 4-H In Service.

Long-Term Objectives

The addition of new 4-H projects or activities, outreach to under-served youth audiences, and the on-going development of unpaid and paid 4-H faculty/staff will be enhanced by the empowerment of volunteers. 13. New Mexico 4-H Leaders’ Forum will have representation from Bernalillo County. 14. New Mexico 4-H Leaders’ Association Executive Board will maintain its role in providing adult leader workshops at statewide events and upon request from counties. 15. Each year, 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county, multiple county, district or state levels upon request. 16. 4-H Specialists will develop materials to support counties in leader education programs and distribute at 4-H In Service. 17. Web based leader lessons will be updated and new resources added.

Evaluation Plan

Class evaluations are designed to measure knowledge gained, usefulness of information and quality of presentation. The overall evaluations measure what was most useful and how they plan to use it in the county and 4-H club levels.